Happy Stories From our customers

Even those not familiar with the jewelry industry know that gold prices continue to soar. But many don’t understand why, consider the economic woes that have befallen the US and other countries throughout the world. This piece from CBS’s MoneyWatch addresses some of the basics and reminds us that gold prices and our economy are intrinsically intertwined:

• Geopolitical uncertainty. Between the fighting in Libya that threatens the stability of the world oil supply, the political upheaval in Egypt, Japan’s struggle to get its economic engine moving in the wake of the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, and the sovereign debt crisis that bedevils the European Union — Portugal just officially asked for an EU bailout — we’ve got a confluence of worries. In isolation, each might be more easily absorbed, but in aggregate they ratchet up the global blood pressure, and that’s when gold becomes most alluring.
• The U.S. isn’t exactly a roaring safe haven. Typically in times of global angst, money flows to U.S. investments. When the financial crisis hit in the fall of 2008, for example, the U.S. dollar strengthened against foreign currencies. But with our debt load causing many to worry about higher inflation and a lower dollar in the future, the U.S. is losing some of its safe-haven luster, making gold look all the better.
• Where else are you going to park your money? A Treasury bill yielding less than 0.50 percent isn’t exactly crowding out gold right now. Part of gold’s popularity is being driven by a lack of better investment opportunities.
• Fears of higher inflation. Gold is a classic hedge against higher inflation and a weakening dollar, since it holds its purchasing power when the dollar’s value declines. And right now, concerns about inflation are beginning to creep back into the global economic dialogue. While the Federal Reserve is grappling with whether it needs to respond to a rise in inflation in the coming months, the European Central Bank (ECB) pulled the trigger yesterday by raising its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years, from a record low of 1 percent to 1.25 percent. Sure, that’s still low, but the concern is where things might head from here.

Read more: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/blog/daily-money/gold-hits-new-record-whats-driving-prices-so-high/2429/#ixzz1bEXqGpAi

Before you go hit the “matches” button, think again. I stumbled across this piece this morning that really exemplifies the importance of contrasting jewelry and fashion. So today, when you’re opening up your jewelry box, pick the contrasting piece and give it a spin.

These two mannequins in a store window kindly demonstrated the difference between jewelry that matches your outfit (on the left) and jewelry that contrasts with it (on the right):

Even though the gal on the left is wearing more jewelry (a double-strand necklace plus a bracelet and ring), you can hardly see her jewels at all.

Meanwhile, the fashion-savvy gal on the right wears just one piece of jewelry (a single-strand necklace), but it really makes a visual impact – even from farther away:

Now if only these two gals had good heads on their shoulders, the fashion-savvy one on the right could drop a hint to her friend on the left about accessorizing. :)

Source: Rena Klingenberg

At first, I was surprised how many people loved to see our jewels and pieces of custom design jewelry on video. What could you glean from a video that you couldn’t from a photo? Well, apparently, it’s that up-close and personal feeling that videos provide. So if you haven’t subscribed to our YouTube channel, please do. We provide videos of works in progress and dazzling finished custom design pieces along with gems, gems and more gems.

Here are a few of our most popular videos:

It’s not too late to get with the “seasonal” fashion program. And here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we can take any of these pieces and custom design a piece so it becomes distinctly your own, especially since many of these trends have a warm, personal side built right in. Take a look:

Bangles and Cuffs – Stacked bangles, cuffs and bracelets continue to be the strongest of all accessory trends. Broad solid cuffs and layered stone bangles are hot! Mix materials – yarn with leather, plastic with metal and glass and watch your style quotient go zoom. This is a very adaptable trend and inexpensive too.  Pick up some glass or plastic bangles from the roadside and pair them with a broad metal piece from your closet – but for the trend to work this season remember to keep all our cuffs/bracelets in the same or coordinating colours.

Leather & Lace – Internationally both leather and lace are big trends in clothing and that has reached the accessory segment as well. Dainty laser cut leather that looks like lace and leather cords or lace ribbons with crystals as bracelets and necklaces are getting really popular.

Bold Chain Necklaces – From high end to faux jewels, big and bold chain necklaces are so very in. Heavy bag handle chains like have become necklaces. Chains with Pendants, adorned links and heavy metals are great ways to make a statement in silver, gold, rose or oxidized metals.

Super Chunky Rings: Statement making rings in metal, acrylic, fabric, stones and leather are the in things now. Bigger the better is the mantra here. But if you are not comfortable wearing huge rings or have very dainty fingers then try the stacked ring trend. Stack together 2 or 3 thin beaded or metal rings on the same finger to create this look.

Chandelier earrings: These never go out of fashion but this year the chandelier earring got even bigger and funkier. Cut to our TV serials if you need further proof. Light weight glass beads, pieces of chains hung together from a loop make a great statement. I recommend that you purchase items that are created with light weight materials, this way they will not be to heavy on the ear.

Layers of pearls: You can either wear multiple layers of pearls (different lengths) or go for a twisted multi strand pearl necklace or bracelet that is combined with other materials like ribbons or chain. It is very luxurious and looks fabulous.

Fabric Jewelry: Rise in expenses has really brought back this trend. Usage of fabric, yarn and fibre scraps combined with crystals and beds is really hot now.

Source: Sulekha.com

Layer these amazingly affordable freshwater pearls:

Single Strand Freshwater Cultured Pearls – 8.5mm – 11.5mm Single strand freshwater cultured pearls, 17″ with 14kt yellow gold clasp. 8.5mm-9.5mm: Now $299 9.5mm-10.5mm: Now $399 10.5mm-11.5mm: Now $499

Right about this time of year, people are groaning about the holidays. Many are already feeling an economic pinch (or stranglehold) so buying gifts only adds to the existing financial burden. Unless you’re rich. Apparently, according to a recent poll, they are the ones who plan on spending more this holiday season.

The Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America, released annually by Harrison Group and American Express Publishing, found that those at the very top of the income spectrum, with discretionary incomes of $250,000 or more, plan to spend an average of 7 percent more on holiday gifts.

However, those with discretionary incomes in the $100,000 to $250,000 range said their holiday spending budgets will be 17 percent lower than in 2010.

As for non-affluent consumers, with incomes below $100,000, some 28 percent said they expect to spend less on gifts than they did in 2010.

Overall, some 57 percent of affluent consumers say they are looking to buy fewer gifts this holiday season, with the number one reason being “they have too much stuff.” In 2010, the no. 1 response to this question was they were “worried about the economy.”

The survey also found that 36 percent of wives would like jewelry as a holiday gift, while only 27 percent of husbands plan on giving gifts in this category. Source: JCK Magazine

Style 10044 Round Pave Stone Heart Pendant   Heart pendant and bail with approximately 1 2/5ct t.w. round brilliant pave’ stones, comes with an 18″ cable chain. Style 7064M Antique Style Filigree Moissanite Bracelet Antique style filigree bracelet with Charles and Colvard created moissanite. 3/16″ wide and the standard 7″ long. Available Total Weight: 3.60ct t.w.